Monday, November 24, 2008

Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi after the state capital Jackson. It is the larger (population wise) of two principal cities of the Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city of Gulfport had a total population of 71,127. Gulfport is co-county seat with Biloxi of Harrison County, Mississippi. Gulfport is the east coast home to the US Navy Seabees, and also the birthplace of American football player Brett Favre.

Angelo's

Angelo's

On August 29, 2005, Gulfport was hit by the strong east side of Hurricane Katrina, and much of Gulfport was flooded or destroyed (see details below). Much of Gulfport was also severely damaged by Hurricane Camille on August 17, 1969.

Media,

Gulfport's local newspaper is The Sun Herald. It is also served by two television stations, the ABC affiliate WLOX, and the FOX affiliate WXXV. There are also seven radio stations in the Gulfport area.

Mayor Brent Warr

History,

Joseph Thomas Jones

1842 - 1916

William Harris Hardy

1837 - 1917

On July 28, 1898, Gulfport was incorporated. In 1902, the harbor was completed, and the Port of Gulfport became a working seaport.

The Port of Gulfport has flourished over the years and today accounts for millions of dollars in annual sales and tax revenue for the state of Mississippi.

Alley Scene, Gulfport

From its simple, humble beginnings as a lumber and port city, Gulfport has evolved into a diversified community. With about 6.7 miles of man-made white sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, Gulfport is one of the fastest growing areas in the state, due in part to recent gaming activities. Home of the annual "Worlds Largest Fishing Rodeo," Gulfport is a residential community that is blessed with a strong business center.

The downtown area provides a strong mercantile center. Along the beach are historic home sites with several motels scattered throughout to accommodate the golfing and water tourist that make up a large part of the economy.

In December 1993 the City annexed 33 square miles north of Gulfport making it the second largest city in Mississippi with a land area of 62.37 square miles and a population in excess of 70,000.

Air,

Gulfport along with the Gulf Coast, Hattiesburg and Mobile is served by the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport. Seven airlines, (AirTran Airways, Allegiant Air, American Eagle, Continental Express, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines and U. S. Airways Express) serve the Gulfport area to eight cities, (Atlanta Ga, Charlotte NC, Dallas/Ft. Worth TX, Ft. Lauderdale FL, Houston TX, Memphis TN, Sanford FL and Tampa FL. Day Jet, which is based at the FBO/General Aviation Ramp offers direct flights to many destinaions throughout the southeast.

Hurricane Katrina

Damage from Hurricane Katrina

On August 29, 2005, Gulfport was hit by the strong eastern side of Hurricane Katrina. Much of Gulfport was flooded or destroyed in one day by the strong hurricane-force winds which lasted over 16 hours and a storm surge exceeding 28 feet (9 m) in some sections.

Hurricane Katrina damaged over 40 Mississippi libraries, gutting the Gulfport Public Library, first floor, and breaking windows on the second floor, beyond repair, requiring a total rebuild.

The Sun Herald newspaper in Biloxi-Gulfport, under the executive editor Stanley R. Tiner, won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize in journalism for its Katrina coverage.

First carload of extruded aluminum irrigation pipe made by Mississippi Aluminum Corporation's Gulfport factory, May 1954. On hand for the occasion were (left to right): John Lee Gainey, county industrial agent; John Dalier, Mississippi Power Company; Sam Williams, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce; W. M. Ladnier, president of the county board of supervisors; James Ballard, president of the Chamber of Commerce; W. M. Ladnier, president of the county board of supervisors; James Ballard, president of the chamber; John Moore, general agent of Illinois Central Railroad; Victor Mrowca, secretary-treasurer of Mississippi Aluminum Company; Mr. James O. Wade, vice president of the Company; W. L. Stringer, L & N Railroad; Ben Harrell of Gulf National Bank; Donald Sutter, president of the Coast Council; Colonel D. B. Shourds, architect; W. C. Mabry and Lee Wood, industrial representative of Mississippi Power Co., and Lyle Crews, Dixie Highway Express.

As a part of Exercise Sagebrush, the largest maneuver for military and air forces since World War II and possibly the largest peacetime training exercise ever staged in history, Gulfport Field (Gulfport, Mississippi)was the target of a simulated A-bomb, actually a blast of steam, which can be seen from downtown Gulfport, 1955.

Elephants from the Mississippi Coast Shrine Circus loll in the sun on the Gulfport sand beach on the day following the circus, 1956.

Redwood lumber imported by Finkbine Lumber Company because of the depletion of the long leaf pine. Some lumber was used in the construion of the Fernwood-by-the-sea Tourist Cottages and other buildings. Photograph made at the Port of Gulfport, 1927.

Gulfport High School graduation party hosted by Mrs. L.P. Ritchie and Mrs. Suzanne Hudson.

U.S. Highway 90, Gulfport, Mississippi, ca. 1950.

Hogue Lumber & Supply Co. Inc., probably Gulfport, Mississippi, 1956.

Holly Bluff on the Jordan River is one of the beauty spots of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Holly Bluff, the rustic home of Mr. and Mrs. James Lyman Crump of New Orleans, typifies the early architecture of the area.Holly Bluff is just outside of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi on the Kiln Road.

Hurricane Camille photographs, 1969: Front view of Clayton Rand home located along Oak Avenue and East Beach Boulevard (U.S. 90). Though heavily damaged by Hurricane Camilee, the house was repaired and stood until Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane Camille photographs, 1969; Garage outbuilding at the home of Clayton Rand.